Resolve to do things differently, and you can bring some learning and fun to your Irish mini-breaks this year. You may even pick up a new lasting passion, and what more could you hope for after an overnight away? Adding courses, classes and expert sessions as a side dish to your accommodation is also a great way to break the ice and meet people as a solo traveller. Dive into this spring tasting platter to whet your appetite for more.
History at Ashford Castle, Co Mayo
Dip into history with the Ashford Castle History Festival, surrounded by the trappings of the wealth of ages. Ryan Tubridy, Diarmaid Ferriter, Myles Dungan and Turtle Bunbury speak on matters Mayo, including famous faces, stories rarely told, and the origins of the idea of boycotting things. The chats after in the bar should be mighty, too. From €1,180pps for two nights at The Lodge, and €1,700 at Ashford Castle itself. Includes dinner with the four speakers on the second night. February 28th-March 1st.
Yoga in Redcastle, Co Donegal
While yoga is on offer at plenty of Irish hotels, Donegal’s Redcastle has lined up a pair of spring retreats to fully immerse you in all things bendy, stretchy and yogic. The holistic escapes, which are led by Tara O’Rourke, are suitable for all levels, including absolute beginners, and set against the dramatic backdrop of the Inishowen peninsula. Two nights’ B&B, dinner on both nights, and yoga sessions, meditations and guided walks throughout, plus a 30-minute sauna and sea swimming session, add up to potential full-blown bliss. From €325pps. Retreat dates January 26th-28th, and March 7th-9th.
Photography at Within the Village, Co Galway
Connemara’s Within the Village collection of cottages and houses in Roundstone – billed as a workship, not a workshop – is hosting photographers Cliodhna Prendergast and Doreen Kilfeather, with stylist Ruth Forsyth and cook and creator Katie Sanderson for a session that gets you out and about snapping and snacking (or more likely feasting) in good company. Suitable for beginners and experts alike, it’s all about letting rip with your creativity in a spectacular setting. Three nights’ full board, with photography tutorials, on-location shoots over two full days, and all beverages – other than ones in the pub, €1,750pps/€2,250 single occupancy. March 28th-31st.
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Retreats at the Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare
Michelle Riordan’s Cliffs of Moher Retreat hosts holistic wellness weekends, yoga and hiking holidays and very tasty-looking Rest Recover and Reflect sessions that include yoga, walks, soundbaths, breathwork, healing, and as much time as you like in the onsite saunas, hot tub and cold plunge pools. The next Rest Recover Reflect is March 29th-30th, from €745pps/€785 single.
Painting at Kelly’s Hotel, Co Wexford
Kelly’s of Rosslare is renowned for its astonishing art collection. So while you’re lounging around the likes of Picasso, Miro, Jack B Yeats, Camille Souter, Elizabeth Magill, Mick O’Dea – the list goes on – you may well feel inspired to have a stab with a brush yourself. Deborah Donnelly leads a midweek oil painting mini-break that is suitable for anyone and everyone. Expect a colourful experience, as Donnelly’s ethos is “if you are gonna be blue, be BRIGHT blue”. The two-hour workshops, with all materials provided, are available daily Monday-Thursday, 11am-1pm, February 23rd-28th. Half board, including access to all Kelly’s famous facilities, from €180pps, single rooms from €220.
Pure Results at The K Club, Co Kildare
Kathryn Thomas knows a thing or two about getting in shape and, crucially, her Pure Results team know how to make it fun too. After all, you’re hardly going to want to stick to a miserable regime. At a recent retreat, participants of all shapes and sizes, ages and stages got stuck into boxercise, strength training, dancing and yoga, with healthy meals and workshop sessions on various aspects of feeling better in your body and mind.
Weekend Wellness at The K Club sessions also give you the chance to enjoy the 550-acre estate, and the tasty leisure facilities, too, so while the Pure Results event is billed as two days and one night, plenty of participants added on an extra night as it’s so hard to tear yourself away. One night, all-inclusive rate (excluding alcoholic drinks) from €495pps, single room from €595. The next Weekend Wellness is March 22nd and 23rd. Standard room at the K Club on March 23rd from €194.56 advance purchase, room only.
Wine appreciation at Ballymaloe, Co Cork
Imagine being undaunted by a wine menu. Fancy knowing your merlot from your Malbec, and avoiding costly, as well as cheap headachy mistakes? Ballymaloe House’s Wine Tasting Weekend includes wine talks and tastings with Samuel Chantoiseau, head sommelier at Ballymaloe House, alongside Colm McCan, wine teacher at Ballymaloe Cookery School. Includes talks and tastings, a tour of the Ballymaloe wine cellar, and a seasonal farm-to-table dinner with wine pairings. Two nights’ B&B, welcome drink, tea/coffee and cake, five-course dinner on Saturday evening with wine pairings, lunch with a glass of sparkling on Saturday, and three two-hour wine talks over the weekend, from €595pps. Sip up and pay attention from February 21st to 23rd.
Theatre at Croke Park, Dublin
Okay, so it’s not quite a theatrical performance in a mega-stadium, although wouldn’t that be great? Instead, the team at the Croke Park Hotel have partnered up with Dublin’s Gate Theatre to take the drama out of going to a show. The Night at the Gate series continues with the theatre’s forthcoming production of Shakespeare’s King Lear starring Conleth Hill. Stay overnight on a Saturday or Sunday and you get pre-theatre dinner, bed and breakfast, premium tickets to the show, a signed programme, and post-show cocktails on your return to the hotel, which is a 15-minute walk from the theatre. Available for stays from February 26th to April 27th, subject to availability, from €299pps.
Bridge at Kelly’s Hotel, Co Wexford
Like corduroy, the game of bridge has been so far out, it’s coming back into the hip horizon. Devotees will tell you it never went away. The problem is that many devotees are so devoted they have no time for beginners. See what the fuss is about at Kelly’s, where international bridge player Rory Boland is on hand from Monday to Thursday for morning classes, followed by afternoon competitions with daily prizes and discussions on play. Ideal for beginners looking for a good foundation, and improvers wanting to advance their techniques. Available to all hotel guests, March 9th to 14th. Half board from €180pps, single room from €220.
Forest bathing at Dromoland Castle, Co Clare
The wellness and lifestyle industries are adept at taking things we do anyway and returning them to us as elegant concepts. Wrapping up in a blanket by the fire? That’s hygge for you, courtesy of our friends in Denmark. Walking in the woods? It’s forest bathing – or, as the Japanese would have it, Shinrin Yoku. Still, if it takes a fancy name and a bit of mindful practice to help you pay attention, why on earth not? At Dromoland Castle, resident yoga instructor Caroline Rouine brings guests on a Forest Bathing and Mindful Movement experience in and among Dromoland’s 500 acres of parklands and woodlands at 10am on Thursdays. Apparently being calm and quiet among the trees lowers stress levels, improves mood, reduces blood pressure and strengthens the immune system. If only we had known sooner! No particular fitness required, suitable for all ages. Available to guests, ongoing. B&B from €443 midweek.
Cookery at Dunbrody House, Co Wexford
Can’t decide what to cook? It may be even trickier to decide which cookery school class to take at Wexford’s lovely Dunbrody House. Dip into Soups, Broths & Breads on January 30th, or Easy Entertaining on January 31st. February’s menu includes Asian Fusion, Seafood, Slow Cooking, Quick Suppers, Dinner Parties, Comfort Food and more. One-day courses at the cookery school cost €175, with the two-day Dinner Party class priced at €325 per person. Classes are led by chef-instructor Julien Clemot, while TV chef Kevin Dundon, who designed the classes, pops in if he happens to be about. Want to up your game? There’s a five-day Spring Masterclass on March 5th-10th, and course participants get a discount on rates at Dunbrody House, bringing the midweek rate per night down from €260pps to €190pps B&B.
Getting spoiled at Faithlegg, Co Waterford
Wrapping up with a break that’s quite possibly the opposite of self-improving, Waterford’s Faithlegg is gagging to spoil you utterly with its Escape the Ordinary offer, designed to give you a taste of a different life entirely. Including cocktails, dinner and B&B. You also get an hour’s horse riding out in the gorgeous Waterford countryside with Laketour Stables Tramore (suitable for all levels), a spa session, shopping vouchers for a trio of local spots, and a self-drive spin in a swanky Mazda MX5. So whether you got seduced by Jilly Cooper’s Rivals, or just reckon you had always been born to better things, immerse yourself in luxury and come back satisfied – or with a new nagging sense of all the new things you wish you’d always had. Available throughout 2025, from €455 for two.
